Last night we came back from dinner at the restaurant with Grandpa and Grandma. Things had gone relatively well, even though our little devil was tired, as is usually the case theses days (we really are at a loss as to how to make him sleep more. But that’s another story). We were waiting for the elevator in our building when all of a sudden, he swung his backpack around to hit his grandpa in the leg. On purpose – I’m sure he did not hurt him as it was not a very hard swing, but he hit him on purpose nonetheless.

I immediately grabbed the backpack from him and demanded he apologize. He immediately started bawling. We waited, and waited, and waited – a good 10 or 15 minutes. Usually when he realizes we mean it he obliges, but not this time. Zak suggested I go home, because our son was trying to cuddle up to me for comfort instead of apologizing. I went home. Zak waited some more. Then we couldn’t wait much more, because my in-laws were actually leaving that night to take the ferry home. So he took the stairs home (while his parents took the elevator) and we put our son straight to bed. Well, we did give him several more chances to go apologize, but he refused. So to bed he went, without even saying goodbye to his grandparents.

Then this morning Zak asked him to apologize for the camera while he filmed it so he could send it to Grandpa. It took another 15 minutes at least to get him to say he was sorry loud enough for us to hear. And I’m pretty sure he did it only because we said we wouldn’t give him back his favorite toy of the moment (which was in the backpack at the time of the infamous incident) until he apologized. I don’t know if we acted properly. I don’t know what we should have done differently. But the fact is, there have been more and more incidents like this one recently, and we don’t like it one bit. I know it’s normal for a 2-year-old to try and test the limits, but I wish it wasn’t with violent-ish behaviors.

I’m sure he didn’t really want to hurt his Grandpa last night. But he has to learn some manners – and get some consequences – or else I’m afraid he’ll just find it funny. Anyway, there have been a lot ofÂ incidents like that lately, and plus the fact that we haven’t been sleeping well (due to the same aforementioned child waking up to pee in the middle of the night and similar episodes), Zak and I are both exhausted and cranky. Anyone wants a child for a few days so we can get a rest?

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on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 6:48 am and is filed under Family life.
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